The event that significantly shaped American colonial sentiments towards independence was the imposition of British taxes and regulations, particularly following the Seven Years' War. Measures such as the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townshend Acts fostered resentment among colonists, who felt they were being unfairly taxed without representation in Parliament. Events like the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party highlighted colonial resistance and unity against British authority. The growing frustration over British policies culminated in the call for independence, as colonists increasingly sought self-governance and challenged imperial control, ultimately leading to the Declaration of Independence in 1776.